Return to Farmville (March 26, 2016)

On Saturday March 26, bundled up a bit on a very overcast and somewhat chilly day. Still, the weather said that there was a zero percent chance of rain and nothing quite like living dangerous.
So...decided to take a ride out for a bit. Wanted to head out to Farmville, VA for a couple of reasons. One, its a very good ride and it was. Rolled down VA 360 and past quite a few farms. Traffic was relatively light. Got a few good blasts of "country air" but overall it was really neat. I had been to Farmville a couple of years before. It was chilly; though I was dressed for cold, and was ok, a little more would have been better.

This is at Sailor's Creek Battlefield. Had never been there, and the Visitor Center was quite nice. Was the last major battles before the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia and the end of the Civil War for all practical purposes. This house was built around 1780-1810. It was used as a Union hospital where some 358 Union and 161 Confederate soldiers (or around that number) were treated. Read from the brochure I took this from that bloodstains from those soldiers still remain on the floor.    

Entrance to Farmville. Farmville, which is the town, not the game, was started in the 1700's. A very nice town with a number of stores and shops and some very cool old buildings was a fun place to explore. It is some 70 miles from Richmond, VA.
As I noted had been there before, and it is also the home of Longwood College. Did not get to explore the school this trip but did get out and see some of the sights around town. It was a very pleasant hour or so walking around.  

This is more of Farmville. As I said very old, and High Bridge State Park is also nearby. That was also one of the last battles as the last three days of the Civil War were counting down. Due to time did not get to see High Bridge, but will on a future trip,
Headed out and back toward Richmond, via a different route which shaved some miles off. So got back to my house with around 130 miles on the trip meter. Never got a drop of rain though it did rain later that night A very, very nice ride indeed. Looking forward to the next one  

The Last "Winter" Ride of 2016 (March 18, 2016)

 Calling this the last winter ride because "Spring" officially starts this Sunday. However tomorrow will be much cooler and Sunday (Day one of Spring) positively cold with a high expected around 39.
During the vacation this week had three remarkable days of riding to the mountains (with temperatures in the 80's) and to the Petersburg area with temperatures in the 70's. Today was in the low 70 range and a hard north wind blowing. The cold air will be in that wind.
Still a great day for a ride. Went to the Shockoe Hill Cemetery in Richmond, which opened in 1822. Lots of Richmond and US history is buried there. A few weeks ago I went to the house of John Marshall who was the Third US Chief Justice from 1801-1835. He had a very interesting career in the Supreme Court and prior to that as well. He is just one of the many interesting people who are at rest at that cemetery.  

Rode around that area a bit...watched two Richmond motorcycle cops at work (luckily they had nothing to do with me) and explored some new roads. I ended up via a roundabout route in Church Hill. Interesting part of Richmond and very old. In fact will be going to the Church Hill Irish Festival tomorrow...at least until the rains come. While I was there today stopped again at Alamo BBQ. Bikers and BBQ are a popular combination, and Alamo is really good. Three bikes there, two Kawasaki motorcycles (the silver and black one is mine) and a Ducati. Nothing like a great lunch on a wonderful day.    

Stopped on the way home and wandered around Canal Walk. They have some most interesting art there, and its a nice place with some good places to eat, the Canal (which is very fun to watch flow) and some condos if you have some serious coin to spend on a place to live.
I like going there, and used to bring my dog. In fact the last time I took a photo of this, she was in front of it looking confused. She was used to me taking photos though so it was all good (she died last November and is still greatly missed). Nothing quite like a border collie!
Still, it was a great day to ride in what has been a great three days of riding. Weather will be a break for a while as will the return to work as my vacation ends with work on Monday but I had a wonderful time. Virginia has so much to offer and I do love to explore its many wonderful places, eat its fine food, and just take in the sights and sounds of this amazing state.  

A Little History Ride (March 17, 2016)

Sure is a lot of history in this region and it goes way back. Rode to City Point, VA which is part of (but was not always) Hopewell, VA. At one time, that time being the Civil War it was one of the busiest ports in the world, and the supply depot of the Union Army. This cabin, of which 10% is original, was used during the period by General US Grant. City Point has a number of fortifications, period buildings, and one amazing cemetery in the area. I have been there before but always enjoy my visits to the area. One reason is the history, and the other is that the ride to City Point is a damn fine ride.    

From City Point went to Petersburg, Va which is another historic Virginia city. The fall of this city lead to the fall of Richmond and for all practical purposes the end of the Civil War. This is the old Train Depot that is being restored. Nice area is Old Town Petersburg with a lot of cool old buildings and some very good places to eat. In fact I had lunch at an Irish Pub there and it was very good.
After the stop there, headed up the road. Rode through Colonial Heights, and Chester before making my next and final stop.    

The place was Drewry's Bluff and the fort was known as Fort Darling. The site was the scene of a major battle on May 15, 1862. A Union fleet which included the USS Monitor (one of the first Ironclad ships) attempted to sail past the Confederate fort to shell Richmond from the James River. They were stopped at this point and no further sea action happened during the war (though the city was taken by land). These mounds are what remains of the fort today.
Another amazing day of riding though a little less than yesterday....covered some 80 miles. It was a bit cooler with highs in the 70s but another very fun day on the motorcycle.  

To the Parkway and beyond (March 16, 2016)

 We're back! On what is (to this point) the warmest day of 2016, in the last few days of winter took my motorcycle to the amazing Blue Ridge Parkway.
Took a nice ride via I-64 from Richmond. The roads were not bad and the ride was very pleasant. Temperatures during the day would rise into the 80's.
This is the first lookout from Exit 99 and always a nice view. One of my favorite places to stop during trips to the Parkway or even while going down the road to visit Louisville, Ky. I just want to and always have to stop here for a short visit.

Being March most of the Visitor Center's were not open, but many of the exhibits were. Of course the views were still remarkable.
Of note and a pleasant thing being winter and a week day traffic was very, very night. I saw a few cars and a few motorcycles but not many of either. That made for a very wonderful drive.
I rode around a bit, got to see a few views such as these, toured the old farm there (very remarkable and very recommended) and just took it all in. I was grinning the entire trip and just had a fantastic time. It is, and will be, one of my favorite places to ride to...and I do so a few times a year.

Heading back I made a stop in Charlottesville, VA. Had been there a few years ago with some friends when we went to a University of Louisville/University of Virginia football game. Was struck by the beauty of the school and took some time to walk around a bit and checked it out again. The famous Rotunda was designed by Thomas Jefferson and is undergoing renovation but was still cool. Just a fun school to explore.
Very old  and a fine school and sure enjoyed the time I spent there.
Plus with the mountains nearby it is just a very fun place to get out and wander around.  

Finally made a stop at the Downtown Mall where I had lunch outside. Again, while a good crowd it was not overly crowded which is has been on previous visits.
Had a great time there, but headed back to Richmond. Following a quick stop at home for some rest and supper I went out again that night for a short nighttime ride around Richmond.
When all was said and done the entire days riding came to 260 miles. I don't make as many long rides as I would like to, but this one is always one of my favorites.    

Sunday Ride to Short Pump

 We have had some remarkable weather here in Richmond the past few days...a long period of 70s and 80s. Sadly, I have been sick for much of it though was able to keep working with what might have been the Flu.
However on this Sunday, felt good and though it was an overcast day with predicted rain later on (which did come but thankfully well after the ride) I got out on the motorcycle.
It was a great day to ride, with temperatures well into the 60's and early on stopped near the house to visit one of my favorite places which is The Stone House in Forest Hill Park.

 I headed out to Broad Street and then down that to West Broad Street and went as far as Short Pump Town Center which is this massive mall in the Short Pump section of Richmond. The last time I looked at this scene I was also on the motorcycle but it was December and there was a Christmas Tree here.
The mall exterior in this section has been re-done over the last few months with fountains added and a lot of seating (including rocking chairs).
Traffic on this Sunday was not bad getting there and it was a good ride on a very fine Sunday. I like riding on Sunday mornings, and made a few stops besides this one.

One of the neatest things to find was the newly opened Carolina Ale House. Formerly a resident of North Carolina there was one of these in Concord, NC that I enjoy going to, so it was nice to see this has "followed" me here. Very nice restaurant with a whole bunch of televisions. Will be great to visit here for sporting events.
Likewise on the way back to my house I stopped and had lunch at Zaxby's which is another Carolina restaurant (though unlike Carolina Ale House not sure it is "based" there) but a first for this area.
As far as miles got in a bit over 30 for the day, but it sure put a huge smile on my face today. It has been a fantastic weekend in Richmond on the last weekend of Winter. Spring is officially a week away.  

Post Work Ride (March 1, 2016)

Was the third day with temperatures in the 60s...I did not get to ride this weekend, but had a good day at work so got home...got my riding gear on..and hit the mean streets of Richmond.
Started off where I went for a walk last Sunday...down Riverside Drive. That is the James River in the background behind my motorcycle.
Noted the river was up a bit though not over flood stage but high yeah. One of my favorite places to ride and traffic was light though there were a lot of people there at Pony Pasture (I am just past that in this photo).      

Rode from Riverside via a number of roads to Libby Hill Park where this photo was taken. That once (before buildings) was where one of the founders of Richmond saw this view which reminded him of an area called Richmond in his home of England. Hence the name of the city.
I rode here via Cary Street, and through Carytown and a number of other places. Being between 4-6 (start and end of the ride) that was some heavy traffic and at times was a handful. Still got in 37 miles and saw some nice sights and visited some nice places. Next few days forecast does not look real great (even a chance of snow Thursday-Friday though not much expected) so glad I got this in. Had a big grin on my face that lasted some......37 miles.